Bundle of pipes and method for parallel arrangement of pipes according to a bore and swivel method

ABSTRACT

The inventions concerns to a bundle ( 1 ) of tubes for the laying of tubes ( 2 ) by means of a trenchless laying according to the fluid-assisted drilling method, in which in a first drilling process a drilling channel ( 9 ) is generated and during the retracting movement of the boring-flushing head ( 5 ) this drilling channel ( 9 ) is expanded and in this process the bundle ( 1 ) of tubes is retracted into the drilling channel ( 9 ). Such a bundle ( 1 ) of tubes stands out by that the bundle ( 1 ) of tubes is formed by a number of single tubes ( 2 ) which are ordered in distance to each other by means of flanges ( 3 ) distantly arranged at the tubes ( 2 ) in lengthwise direction ( 15 ) of the tubes ( 2 ).  
     Further a procedure is described for the laying of tubes ( 2 ) by means of a trenchless laying according to the fluid-assisted drilling method, in which in during the retraction of the rotating boring-flushing head ( 5 ) and expanding of the drilling channel ( 9 ) the rotary movement of the boring-flushing head ( 5 ) is not transmitted to the bundle ( 1 ) of tubes by means of a device ( 6 ) for rotary decoupling and the bundle ( 1 ) of tubes is pulled through the drilling channel ( 9 ) supported in constant spatial position of the tubes ( 2 ) to each other and to the surroundings by means of stabilizing devices ( 3, 4, 17 ) inside the drilling channel ( 9 ).

[0001] The invention concerns to a bundle of tubes according to theprecharacterising part of claim 1 and proceedings for the parallellaying of tubes according to the fluid-assisted drilling methodaccording to the precharacterising part of claim 20.

[0002] The laying of tubes according to the so-called horizontallyfluid-assisted drilling method is used increasingly to be able to laytubes or also wires with building measures as few as possible at thesurface also in the inside urban area retentively built-up, for example.Particularly by the use of so-called controlled drilling proceedings thefluid-assisted drilling method offers an economic and fast alternativefor the conventional laying of tubes and wires in the open trench. Theapplication spectrum extends on many tube building measures in thecontext of the gas, long-distance energy supply and drinking watersupply as well as the laying of sewage pressure tubes as well as cableprotection tubes for TV or telecommunications, traffic conductingsystems, emergency telephones or for low-, medium-, high-voltage cablesand light wave conductors. Underrunning fluxes, channels, motorways,track ways or the like approximately without impediment of the operationis also possible.

[0003] At the fluid-assisted drilling method in a first pass with aboring-flushing head a small drilling channel in respect of the crosscutis bored which, controlled by probes, shows if possible the desiredcourse below a surface. If the first drilling channel is finished thenthis drilling channel is enlarged to the needed crosscut dimensions inone or several passes by the use of respective expanding heads, normallythis expansion is carried out during the pulling back of theboring-flushing head after the first pass. For this the originalboring-flushing head is replaced by an expanding head which is millingat its periphery and expanding the drilling channel by milling inretreat direction. Therefore water is injected at high pressure into theboring zone, whereby also supplements of so-called Bentonit contributeto an improvement in the drilling behaviour and a hardening of thedrilling channel. This process of the crosscut enlargement is carriedout repeatedly if necessary. At the last process of this kind the tubeor like to be pulled in is attached to the expanding head so that afterthe complete running through of the now extended drilling channel theneeded arrangement of the drilling channel with the tube is readilycarried out.

[0004] For the further rationalization it is increasingly tried out, tolay not only one pipe in one pass but just more tubes in the same passif possible. This is particularly useful if different tubes shall belaid newly simultaneously with different functions in the context ofrehabilitation measures, for example, furthermore it is madeapproximately better use of the needed building space within for examplea street as if in several single drilling events the individual tubesmust be laid separately with greater distances to each otherrespectively. It is problematically in this way of combined laying ofseveral tubes inside such a drilling channel created by means of thefluid-assisted drilling method that the tubes are charged on torsionalong the laying length because of the rotary movement of theboring-flushing head and the expanding head and therefore twistthemselves to each other. On the one hand, this leads to a strong loadof the material of the tubes, through what either the tubes can break orare no longer passable through by buckling, on the other hand, thelocation of the tubes is completely uncertain to each other or to thesurface at the mounting place. This is particularly problematic by thefact that the connection of consumers gets approximately problematic inthe case of combined drawing-in gas tubes, water tubes and vacant tubesfor telecommunications and the like if due to the twisting the forexample gas tubes and water tubes in the departure place just lie belowthe vacant tubes for the telecommunications. By this e.g. the attachingof T-pieces or junctions gets problematic, through what additionalbuilding measures become necessary in the respective departure placeswhich considerably make more expensive the complete proceedings. It alsocan happen that the tubes don't keep a provided distance to each otherso that there isn't a corresponding mounting space sufficiently forfittings etc..

[0005] It is therefore objection of the invention on hand to developfurther a bundle of tubes or proceedings for the parallel laying oftubes after fluid-assisted drilling method that a laying also of severaltubes can be carried out without twisting of the bundle of tubes orchange of the distances between the tubes so that the retracted bundleof tubes is always laid in defined spatial position relative to eachother and to the surroundings.

[0006] The solution of the objection according to the invention resultswith regard to the bundle of tubes from the characterising features ofclaim 1 and with regard to the proceedings from the characterisingfeatures of the claim 20 respectively in interaction with the featuresof the accompanying pre-characterising parts. Further advantageousdevelopments of the invention result from the respective sub-claims.

[0007] The solution according to the invention as per claim 1 starts outfrom a bundle of tubes for the laying of tubes by means of a trenchlesslaying according to the fluid-assisted drilling method, in which in afirst drilling process a drilling channel is generated and during theretracting movement of the boring-flushing head this drilling channel isexpanded and in this process the bundle of tubes is retracted into thedrilling channel. Such a bundle of tubes is developed further in a wayaccording to the invention in such a manner, that the bundle of tubes isformed by a number of single tubes which are ordered in distance to eachother by means of flanges distantly arranged at the tubes in lengthwisedirection of the tubes. By this the tubes are fixed to each otheraccording to the distances of the flanges to each other and thereforecan move no longer or no longer inadmissibly themselves relatively toeach other. By this furthermore a considerably stiffer connection of theindividual tubes is formed, which is much more resistant againsttwisting and torsions than the individual tubes not fixed to each otherin case of conventional pulling-in of several tubes simultaneously. Bythis the bundle of tubes twists itself not so much in case ofconventional pulling-in into a drilling channel according to thefluid-assisted drilling method, as this happens during laying of singletubes not fixed to each other. This further development of the inventionis of course also analogously transferable to the pulling-in of only onetube if for example torsion loads would lead to inadmissible or notdesirable material loads.

[0008] A further improvement at laying of bundles of tubes is obtainableby the way, that at the rotating boring-flushing head a non co-rotatingexpanding cone is arranged in such a manner, that the expanding coneexpands during the pulling back the drilling channel generated by theboring-flushing head to the needed crosscut dimensions for the laying ofthe bundle of tubes. The non co-rotating expanding cone causes thereforean exact generation of the drilling channel suitable for the pulling-inof the bundle of tubes provided with the flanges, whereby it is aspecial advantage, that in a further development the expanding conepresses flat against the walls of the drilling channel covered with mudand generated by the boring-flushing head and is supported by thesewalls and the spatial position of the expanding cone relative to thesurroundings is stabilized. By this it is ensured for certain, that thebundle of tubes fixed to the expanding cone does not underlie the rotarymovement generated by the boring-flushing head and is stressed not oronly very little on torsion. The support of the expanding cone at thewalls of the drilling channel as well as an appropriate device for thedecoupling of the rotary movement of the boring-flushing head from theexpanding cone capture the rotary movement of the boring-flushing headlargely. At the same time the expanding cone calibrates the drillingchannel so that the flanges are well drawn through the drilling channeland can support themselves at the same time to the walls of the drillingchannel.

[0009] A further improvement of the stabilisation of the expanding conein the drilling channel can be obtained thereby, that the expanding coneshows a number of, preferably symmetric, essentially axial recesses,distributed at the periphery, which stabilizes the spatial position ofthe expanding cone relative to the surroundings by means of the drillingmud, which penetrates here in lengthwise direction of the drillingchannel. The drilling mud is compressed because of the pressure ratiobetween the boring-flushing head and the expanding cone and causesadditionally to the surface pressure at the cone surfaces an almostform-fit support of the expanding cone.

[0010] There is a further advantage, if there is arranged at least onedevice for rotary decoupling between the boring-flushing head and theexpanding cone, which decouples the rotary movement of theboring-flushing head from the bundle of tubes connected to the expandingcone. Such devices can for example consist of pivot bearings or thesame, which are well known in the field of slings for load suspensiondevices and therefore shall not be described here furthermore.

[0011] A further development provides, that the flanges show dimensions,which are smaller or correspond at least in sections essentially to thecross-section of the largest diameter of the expanding cone. By this thealready mentioned supporting effect also of the flanges can be obtainedat the inside of the drilling channel since then the expanding conepreforms the drilling channel accordingly.

[0012] The development of the flanges provides, that the flanges areformed essentially plate-shaped and are secured to the tubesperpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the tubes. This basicconstruction of the flanges approximately reminding of clamps for hosepipes or the like offers a high strength for the fixation of the flangesat the tubes at simultaneously low weight of the flanges and thus onlyinsignificant rise of the weight of the bundle of tubes in relation tothe weight of the individual tubes.

[0013] A preferred embodiment provides, that the flanges showessentially at least two plate-shaped component parts, in which in therespective component parts supplementary, essentially semicircularopenings are provided, in which the tubes can be inserted and which areclosable by the respectively accompanying other component part stickingthe tubes. By this it can be obtained, that a simple assembly of thetubes with the flanges can be carried out and the assembly is alsosimultaneously possible along the bundle of tubes in arbitrary placesshortly before the pulling-in of the bundle of tubes into the drillingchannel. So a central middle section of the flange can be insertedbetween the tubes forming the bundle of tubes and then the respectivefurther component parts can be put on to the tubes and the centralmiddle section of the flange and for example screwed together or stuckedtogether or glued together or fixed together in an other known manner.

[0014] An embodiment provides, that the flanges are arranged inessentially regular distances at the tubes on behalf of forming thebundle of tubes. By this essentially even conditions can be achieved bythe flanges with regard to the stabilization of the bundle of tubesalong the complete length of the bundle of tubes.

[0015] Also it can be thought, that the flanges near to the expandingcone are arranged in a smaller distance to each other, here preferablyessentially between 0.5-2 metres, as in the pull-in direction furtherbehind the expanding cone, here preferably essentially between 3-6metres. Particularly at the beginning of the bundle of tubes near at theboring-flushing head with his rotary movement it can be important, toprovide additionally stabilization for the bundle of tubes and provideadditional support areas for the flanges at the inner walls of thedrilling channel.

[0016] An embodiment provides, that the flanges stay fixed to the bundleof tubes after pulling-in into the drilling channel. By the usage ofso-called lost flanges it is obsolete to carry out additional buildingmeasures for the recovering of the flanges.

[0017] Also it can be thought, that the flanges can be fixed to thebundle of tubes in such a manner, that after pulling-in them into thedrilling channel the flanges come to lie in stress-relieving pits drivendown from the surface and can be accessibly dismantled from the bundleof tubes again.

[0018] As in the fluid-assisted drilling method often so-calledunstressing pits are provided in certain distances at which the arisingdrilling mud is siphoned, at the same time also for example in the areaof the house connection technique anyway at places apart from each otherbranches for the supply conducts of the houses or the like are needed,the position of the flanges at the bundle of tubes can be exactly socarried out, that the flanges come to lie approximately in theseunstressing pits when the bundle of tubes is as agreed pulled-in. Bythis the flanges can be dismantled and reused again after pulling-in bywhat the costs for the production of the flanges can be apportioned onappropriately many usages.

[0019] Further stabilization of the bundle of tubes within the drillingchannel can be achieved by that in the flanges openings in the region ofthe flanges surrounded by the tubes are provided in such a manner, thatmud generated by the boring-flushing head can enter the space betweentwo adjacent flanges and essentially body it out. Especially if to thedrilling mud, as usual in the fluid-assisted drilling method, so-calledBentonit is added, then the bundle of tubes is additionally supported bymeans of the drilling mud entered between the two adjacent flangesagainst torsional strain which possibly can be guided across theexpansion cone. This is caused in an advantageous way by thepressurization of the drilling mud essentially in this space whichstabilizes the bundle of tubes on behalf of its spatial position to thesurroundings.

[0020] Furthermore is to start out from that the outer edges of theflanges are supported by the walls of the drilling channel formed by theexpanding cone in such a manner, that the flanges and the hereto fixedtubes during the pulling-in of the bundle of tubes are guided duringgliding by the inner wall of the drilling channel, in which also the mudoperates as antiseize agent during the movement of the flanges on thewalls of the drilling channel. Easily pulling-in of the bundle of tubesis supported in addition through this and, simultaneously, further thetorsion strain of the bundle of tubes is reduced due to the good supportto the walls of the drilling channel.

[0021] Another improvement in the supporting effect can be achieved, ifthe outer profile of the flanges is formed irregular. To thiscontributes that the irregular profile of the flanges causes asolidification of the drilling mud adjacently to these irregular forms,by which the flanges slide along the inner wall of the drilling channelguided by the hardened drilling mud against torsion. Similar alreadylike the arrangement of corresponding recesses at the expansion cone thedrilling mud hardens also in these irregularly formed areas of theflanges and causes an additional form-fit support of the bundle of tubesin the area of the flanges.

[0022] The invention concerns furthermore to a procedure according toclaim 20 for the parallel laying of tubes by means of a trenchlesslaying according to the fluid-assisted drilling method, in which in afirst drilling process one drilling channel is generated and during theretracting movement of the boring-flushing head this drilling channel isexpanded and in this process a bundle of tubes is retracted into thedrilling channel. This can of course be especially a procedure for thelaying of a bundle of tubes according claim 1. Such a generic procedureis developed further in that during the retraction of the rotatingboring-flushing head and expanding of the drilling channel the rotarymovement of the boring-flushing head is not transmitted to the bundle oftubes by means of a device for rotary decoupling and the bundle of tubesis pulled through the drilling channel supported in constant spatialposition of the tubes to each other and to the surroundings by means ofstabilizing devices inside the drilling channel. In this way in furtherdevelopment stabilizing devices in form of an expanding cone, especiallyan expanding cone according to claim 2, and flanges for the connectionof the tubes to a bundle of tubes, especially flanges according to claim1 can be used and the bundle of tubes is pulled into the drillingchannel in such a spatial position relative to the surroundings, whichcorresponds to the spatial position of the bundle of tubes in thepulled-in state.

[0023] There is an advantage, if tubes consisting of materials capableof bearing tensile forces are pulled in, preferably tubes made ofmetallic materials and/or tubes made of synthetic materials like PEHD orPEX. Such materials are usual in building pipework.

[0024] Of course it can be thought, that in a further development tubeswith different diameters and/or different usage are pulled in in onecommon pass. So tubes can be pulled-in at the same time in a bundle oftubes for the gas supply, the electricity supply, the water supply andalso the telecommunications as well as universally usable vacant tubes,for example.

[0025] Furthermore it can be thought, that the bundle of tubes is pulledoff a feed roll and the flanges are pre-assembled before the pulling in.

[0026] It is also conceivable particularly at plastic tubes which can berolled up without problems with corresponding rolling radii that theflanges are already pre-assembled on the roll and therefore only stillfew or no more preparations for the bundle of tubes must be made at thebuilding site.

[0027] Another embodiment provides, that the tubes of the bundle oftubes as for example at metallic tubes are manufactured of singlebar-shaped tube sections and than together with the fixing of thebar-shaped tube sections the flanges are pre-assembled before thepulling in.

[0028] A particularly preferential embodiment of the bundle of tubesaccording to the invention as well as the procedure according to theinvention shows the drawing.

[0029] It is shown in:

[0030]FIG. 1—an arrangement of a bundle of tubes according to theinvention with additional devices arranged to this,

[0031]FIG. 2—a crosscut through a drilling channel generated by afluid-assisted drilling method with a bundle of tubes and a flange shownin a crosscut.

[0032] In the FIG. 1 the fundamental construction of a bundle of tubesarranged according to the invention is shown in a very schematicrepresentation, in which only the front section of the bundle 1 of tubesformed by the tubes 2 is represented with two flanges 3 ordered to this.The bundle 1 of tubes can extend in the direction contrary to thepull-in direction 15 in usual length for fluid-assisted drillingtechnique.

[0033] At the left end of the bundle 1 of tubes also only schematicallyindicated shown is a boring-flushing head 5 in form of an expansionhead, which is connected to an respective, also only partly representeddrive unit by means of boring rods 18 also only represented in sections.The boring-flushing head 5 turns along the direction of rotation 19 andmills larger in an expansion proceeding a drilling channel 9 produced ina first pass. Such expansion heads 5 are in principle known andtherefore shall not be further described here.

[0034] Contrary to the pull-in direction 15 of the bundle 1 of tubesinto the not precisely shown drilling channel 9 behind the expansionhead 5 a device 6 for the rotary decoupling is schematically shown,which for example can consist of one or a number of turning knuckledjoints, by which it is guaranteed, that the rotary movement of theexpansion head 5 in the turning direction 19 is transferred not or noras much to the expanding cone 4 placed behind the device 6. Such devices6 for the rotary decoupling are for example variously known from thearea of sling means or also the general mechanical engineering andtherefore shall not here be further explained either.

[0035] Behind the device 6 for the rotary decoupling there is shown anexpanding cone 4, which here owns a similar taper angel as theboring-flushing head 5, but simultaneously is formed with his largestdiameter a little larger than the boring-flushing head 5. The expandingcone 4 has multiple functions during the pulling-in of the bundle 1 oftubes, which will be further explained below. In the expanding cone 4there are arranged recesses 17, regularly distributed at the peripheryof the cone area, which can for example be arranged in the form ofgrooves. These grooves extend essentially about the whole length of thecone area and serve for support of the expanding cone 4 at the walls 16of the drilling channel 9 when pulling-in the bundle 1 of tubes in amanner also explained still later.

[0036] A number of tubes 2, here of four tubes 2, is ordered behind theexpanding cone 4 at the back of the expanding cone 4 by means ofcoupling devices 7 also only indicated schematically. The couplingdevices 7 can show for example hooked elements, this one intrude oncorresponding counter-hooks or devices according to snap rings or likethat. Contrary to the pull-in direction 15 one fixation each is providedat the end of the coupling devices 7 on the side of the tube at theindividual tubes 2, the coupling devices 7 is for example welded on atthe tubes 2 or connected with these in another in principle known way.The forces which are transferred by the boring rods 18 to the bundle 1of tubes when pulling-in the bundle 1 of tubes in the direction of thepulling-in direction 15 can therefore be taken by each of the tubes 2.It has to be said that the arrangement of the tubes 2 as well as itsnumber in the FIG. 1 of course is chosen completely arbitrarily so thatthe invention can refer to many different arrangements and amounts oftubes 2 with regard to the arrangement of the bundle 1 of tubes. It isalso conceivable that a transfer of the invention for pulling-in onlyone tube 2 may be obvious, if for example this tube 2 is appropriatelysensitive or other boundary conditions shall make a torsion of the tube2 impossible.

[0037] The tubes 2 of the bundle 1 of tubes are connected to each otherwith two shown flanges 3, the construction of these is indicate onlyroughly schematically and which are explained in an advantageousarrangement in the FIG. 2 still more precisely. The flanges 3 showcorresponding openings 8 for the insertion of the tubes 2 so that theflanges 3 hold the tubes 2 of the bundle 1 of tubes. The flanges 3 arebuilt up at least bipartitely so that at least two parts of the flanges3 can be separated from each other for assembling at the bundle 1 oftubes or for inserting the tubes 2 into the openings 8.

[0038] First of all it has to be mentioned between the adjacent arrangedflanges 3, that while pulling-in of the bundle 1 of tubes drilling mudwhich is formed at the boring-flushing head 5 presses contrary to thepulling-in direction 15 into the drilling channel 9 and is on the onehand compressed into the recesses 17 in the expansion cone 4, whilesimultaneously flows through openings 14 represented still moreprecisely in the FIG. 2 which are provided in the flanges 3. By this amud storage capacity 24 is each formed between the two adjacent flanges3 and of course in the flanges 3 arranged behind this contrary to thepulling-in direction 15, which fundamentally contributes to thestabilization of the spatial position of the bundle 1 of tubes in stillmore precisely described form.

[0039] In the FIG. 2 is now once again to recognize more exactly in acut top view the construction of a flange 3. The flange 3 is herearranged in a drilling channel 9 which has resulted of the expansion bythe expanding head 5 and pulling-in through the expansion cone 4. Thelargest dimensions of every flange 3 are essentially identical with thedimensions of the walls 16 of the drilling channel 9 so that everyflange 3 at least in sections fits closely to the walls 16 of thedrilling channel 9.

[0040] The flange 3 is built up essentially three-partly in which acentral middle part 20 is plugged in between the great upper and thesmaller below arranged tubes 2. In the middle part 20 respectivelysemicircular openings 23 are provided in which the tubes 2 can beinserted. Respectively on the upper side of the upper tubes 2 andsub-sided of the lower tubes 2 further parts of the flange 3 formed likeclamps are to be seen, namely a upper part 21 und a lower part 22. Inthis upper part 21 und the lower part 22 corresponding also semicircularopenings 23 are let in which corresponds with the semicircular openings23 of the middle part 20 and complete these to a full circle. Thediameters of these openings 23 correspond essentially to the diameter ofthe respective tube 2 in which the dimensions are chosen so that thetubes 2 are friction-lockedly held by means of attachment screws 10 inthe now completed flange 3 after mounting of upper part 21 und lowerpart 22 onto the middle part 20. It has to be taken care that the tubes2 are not stuck too strongly to cause no damages to the tubes 2. Withthis multisectional construction of the flange 3 it is possible toarrange and to fasten certainly the flange 3 in any arbitrary place ofthe bundle 1 of tubes also shortly before pulling-in into the drillingchannel 9. A dismantling is also relatively simply possible in ditches,for example, since the attachment screws 10 are accessible relativelywell and the flange 3 therefore can easily be removed from the tubes 2.

[0041] Also can be recognized in the FIG. 2 that the flange 3 only insections fits closely to the walls 16 of the drilling channel 9 in whichbelow the upper tubes 2 recesses of the outer profile of the flange 3can be recognized which fill themselves with compressed drilling mud 13in a manner still described and stabilizes the position of the flange 3and with that the bundle 1 of tubes within the drilling channel 9. Alargely free crosscut 25 above the flange 3 can be recognized whichserves for the removal of the superfluous drilling mud 13. Since thebundle 1 of tubes shows of course a corresponding deadweight, the flange3 will support himself in the area essentially sub-sided of the edgesmarked by the subject numbers 12 and the lateral areas next to the largetubes 2 at the inner wall 16 of the drilling channel 9. Already alone bythis a corresponding stabilization of the bundle 1 of tubes can beachieved since by means of friction between the outer profile of theflange 3 and the walls 16 a respective support on behalf of torsionloads is possible, which can be transferred to the flanges 3 or thebundle 1 of tubes as residuals of the rotary movement of theboring-flushing head along the direction 19 of rotation.

[0042] Also can be recognized in the FIG. 2 that in the flanges 3 thereare provided openings 14 for penetrating drilling mud 13 from the areain pulling-in direction 15 in front of the flange 3 to the area inpulling-in direction 15 behind the flange 3. These openings 14 which canof course be arranged differently lead to that the drilling mud 13,which is generated under a high pressure in the area of theboring-flushing head 5 can essentially fill out the mud storage capacity24 between adjacently arranged flanges 3 and in addition stabilizes thebundle 1 of tubes in this mud storage capacity 24 of his spatialposition. One can imagine this drilling mud as a kind of stopper, whichconsists of the drilling mud which is quite thick and simultaneouslystill compressed and counteracts toughly a twist of the bundle 1 oftubes on behalf of a torsion load transferred from the boring-flushinghead 5. This drilling mud can of course leave again in the furthercourse of the drilling process contrary to the pulling-in direction 15by the openings 14 provided by the next flange 3 or by the free crosscut15 and be promoted to behind.

[0043] The drilling mud which is generated in the area of theboring-flushing head 5, will also accumulate in the area of theprojections of the profile of the flange 3 below the large tubes 2 andharden in this area, by which an additional support effect is alsoperformed on the flange 3 and with that on the bundle 1 of tubes.

[0044] Another support effect arises in that the expanding cone 4 alsofits closely at the walls 16 of the drilling channel 9 at least with thearea of the largest diameter, which is as a rule a little greater thanthe diameter of the boring-flushing head 5, during pulling-in of thebundle 1 of tubes in pulling-in direction 15 and supports itself becauseof the drawing movement against these walls 16. Because of the surfacepressure arising between the walls 16 of the drilling channel 9 and theexpansion cone 4 also a support of torsional moments is ensured, thedrilling channel 9 is calibrated in his dimensions simultaneously and bythis the passage of the flanges 3 through the drilling channel 9 isimproved.

[0045] The special construction of the bundle 1 of tubes or also thesequence of operations of the proceedings according to the invention cangenerally be described so that by the prominently described measures forthe stabilization of the bundle 1 of tubes in the drilling channel 9 itis provided that independent of the turning movement of theboring-flushing head 5 the bundle 1 of tubes keeps strictly its spatialposition in between the drilling channel 9, namely keeps that spatialposition, in which the bundle 1 of tubes was fed into the drillingchannel 9 initially. This has the great advantage that the spatialposition of the bundle 1 of tubes along the drilling channel 9 alwaysremains identical and by means of the effect of the flanges 3 thedistance of the tubes 2 to each other remains always the same, too. Onthe one hand, an inadmissible load of the tubes 2 due to torsion isprevented for certain through this, on the other hand, the connectionconditions are for example always the same for attaching junctions atthe tubes 2 along the drilling channel 9.

[0046] Therefore for example it cannot happen, that e.g. the large tubes2 come to lie below the small tubes 2 by a distortion, so that aconnection of a consumer or the like is not possible or only very mucheffort.

List of Subject Numbers

[0047] 1 bundle of tubes 2 tubes 3 flange 4 expansion cone 5boring-flushing head 6 rotary decoupling 7 coupling device 8 clamp lug 9drilling channel 10 attachment screw 11 commissure 12 support 13hardened drilling mud 14 passing through openings for drilling mud 15pulling-in direction 16 walls drilling channel 17 recesses 18 boringrods 19 rotary movement boring-flushing head 20 middle part of flange 21upperpart of flange 22 lower part of flange 23 openings for tubes 24 mudstorage capacity 25 free crosscut

1. A bundle (1) of tubes for the laying of tubes (2) by means of atrenchless laying according to the fluid-assisted drilling method, inwhich in a first drilling process a drilling channel (9) is generatedand during the retracting movement of the boring-flushing head (5) thisdrilling channel (9) is expanded and in this process the bundle (1) oftubes is retracted into the drilling channel (9), characterized in thatthe bundle (1) of tubes is formed by a number of single tubes (2) whichare ordered in distance to each other by means of flanges (3) distantlyarranged at the tubes (2) in lengthwise direction (15) of the tubes (2).2. A bundle (1) of tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that atthe rotating boring-flushing head (5) a non co-rotating expanding cone(4) is arranged in such a manner, that the expanding cone (4) expandsduring the pulling back the drilling channel (9) generated by theboring-flushing head (5) to the needed crosscut dimensions for thelaying of the bundle (1) of tubes.
 3. A bundle (1) of tubes according toone of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the expanding cone (4)presses flat against the walls (16) of the drilling channel (9) coveredwith mud and generated by the boring-flushing head (5) and is supportedby these walls (16) and stabilizes the spatial position of the expandingcone (4) relative to the surroundings.
 4. A bundle (1) of tubesaccording to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theexpanding cone (4) shows a number of, preferably symmetric, essentiallyaxial recesses (17), distributed at the periphery, which stabilizes thespatial position of the expanding cone (4) relative to the surroundingsby means of the drilling mud, which penetrates here in lengthwisedirection (15) of the drilling channel (9).
 5. A bundle (1) of tubesaccording to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that betweenthe boring-flushing head (5) and the expanding cone (4) at least onedevice (6) for rotary decoupling is arranged, which decouples the rotarymovement (19) of the boring-flushing head (5) from the bundle (1) oftubes connected to the expanding cone (4).
 6. A bundle (1) of tubesaccording to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theflanges (3) show dimensions, which are smaller or correspond at least insections essentially to the cross-section of the largest diameter of theexpanding cone (4).
 7. A bundle (1) of tubes according to one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the flanges (3) are formedessentially plate-shaped and are secured to the tubes (2) perpendicularto the lengthwise direction (15) of the tubes (2).
 8. A bundle (1) oftubes according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe flanges (3) show essentially at least two plate-shaped componentparts (20, 21, 22), in which in the respective component parts (20, 21,22) supplementary, essentially semicircular openings (23) are provided,in which the tubes (2) can be inserted and which are closable by therespectively accompanying other component part (20, 21, 22) sticking thetubes (2).
 9. A bundle (1) of tubes according to claim 8, characterizedin that the at least two plate-shaped component parts (20, 21, 22) ofthe flanges (3) can be screwed together (10) or stucked together orglued together.
 10. A bundle (1) of tubes according to one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the flanges (3) are arranged inessentially regular distances at the tubes (2) on behalf of forming thebundle (1) of tubes.
 11. A bundle (1) of tubes according to one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the flanges (3) near to theexpanding cone (4) are arranged in a smaller distance to each other,here preferably essentially between 0.5-2 metres, as in the pull-indirection (15) further behind the expanding cone (4), here preferablyessentially between 3-6 metres.
 12. A bundle (1) of tubes according toone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flanges (3) stayfixed to the bundle (1) of tubes after pulling-in into the drillingchannel (9).
 13. A bundle (1) of tubes according to one of the claims 1to 11, characterized in that the flanges (3) can be fixed to the bundle(1) of tubes in such a manner, that after pulling-in them into thedrilling channel (9) the flanges (3) come to lie in stress-relievingpits driven down from the surface and can be accessibly dismantled fromthe bundle (1) of tubes again.
 14. A bundle (1) of tubes according toone of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the flanges (3)openings (14) in the region of the flanges (3) surrounded by the tubes(2) are provided in such a manner, that mud generated by theboring-flushing head (5) can enter the space (24) between two adjacentflanges (3) and essentially body it out.
 15. A bundle (1) of tubesaccording to claim 14, characterized in that the mud bodying out thespace (24) formed between two adjacent flanges (3) causes a pressurebuild-up in this space (24), which stabilizes the bundle (1) of tubes onbehalf of its spatial position relative to the surroundings.
 16. Abundle (1) of tubes according to one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the outer edges of the flanges (3) are supportedby the walls (16) of the drilling channel (9) formed by the expandingcone (4) in such a manner, that the flanges (3) and the hereto fixedtubes (2) during the pulling-in of the bundle (1) of tubes are guidedduring gliding by the inner wall (16) of the drilling channel (9).
 17. Abundle (1) of tubes according to one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the mud operates as antiseize agent during themovement of the flanges (3) on the walls (16) of the drilling channel(9).
 18. A bundle (1) of tubes according to one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the outer profile of the flanges (3) is formedirregular.
 19. A bundle (1) of tubes according to claim 18,characterized in that the irregular outer profile of the flanges (3)causes a hardening of the mud adjacent to these irregular forms, bywhich the flanges (3) glide guided against torsion by this hardened mudalong the inner wall (16) of the drilling channel (9).
 20. Procedure forthe parallel laying of tubes (2) by means of a trenchless layingaccording to the fluid-assisted drilling method, in which in a firstdrilling process one drilling channel (9) is generated and during theretracting movement of the boring-flushing head (5) this drillingchannel (9) is expanded and in this process a bundle (1) of tubes isretracted into the drilling channel (9), especially procedure for thelaying of a bundle (1) of tubes according to claim 1, characterized inthat during the retraction of the rotating boring-flushing head (5) andexpanding of the drilling channel (9) the rotary movement of theboring-flushing head (5) is not transmitted to the bundle (1) of tubesby means of a device (6) for rotary decoupling and the bundle (1) oftubes is pulled through the drilling channel (9) supported in constantspatial position of the tubes (2) to each other and to the surroundingsby means of stabilizing devices (3, 4, 17) inside the drilling channel(9).
 21. Procedure according to claim 20, characterized in that asstabilizing devices (3, 4, 17) are used an expanding cone (4),especially an expanding cone (4) according to claim 2, and flanges (3)for the connection of the tubes (2) to a bundle (1) of tubes, especiallyflanges (3) according to claim
 1. 22. Procedure according to one of theclaims 20 or 21, characterized in that the bundle (1) of tubes is pulledinto the drilling channel (9) in such a spatial position relative to thesurroundings, which corresponds to the spatial position of the bundle(1) of tubes in the pulled-in state.
 23. Procedure according to one ofthe claims 20 to 22, characterized in that tubes (2) consisting ofmaterials capable of bearing tensile forces are pulled in, preferablytubes (2) made of metallic materials and/or tubes made of syntheticmaterials like PEHD or PEX.
 24. Procedure according to one of the claims20 to 23, characterized in that tubes (2) with different diametersand/or different usage are pulled in in one common pass.
 25. Procedureaccording to one of the claims 20 to 24, characterized in that thebundle (1) of tubes is pulled off a feed roll and the flanges (3) arepre-assembled before the pulling in.
 26. Procedure according to one ofthe claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the bundle (1) of tubes ismanufactured of single bar-shaped tube sections and than the flanges (3)are pre-assembled before the pulling in.